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Yes, some good hurling, all right. However, even though they scored 1-24, they surely left another 3-20 behind them. Need to be a lot more clinical - and need a proper free-taker, too. Surprised King didn't step up to them, but his first game back was only middling. Impressed by Quinlan, Dooley, and Mossy Keyes, who was fouled plenty. Liam O'Connell caught some good ball, and Purcell was much better. However, Down got very tired in the second half, and were no match for our lads in terms of fitness, or touch. The Carlow game will be a good barometer of how much they've actually improved.

They must have inside info.!

The hurlers are a far more gentleman-y lot!

Yeah, it's a bit messy bringing in head-to-head results for this. One question though, how did we get Portlaoise as the semi-final venue? Surely we should have to travel to Down considering they played us in Portlaoise already, or failing that a neutral venue for the Semi?

I suppose it's a reward for finishing second, just like Carlow's home venue for the final is their reward for finishing top.

Hmmm. Carlow lost to Kildare last night, after - does that mean a good win over Kerry could put Laois straight into the final, or does it come down to head-to-head still?

Top two teams will be in the new Div 1b league with 5 other teams who will come down from the current Div 1a and 1b. Bottom two in each and the worst placed 4th placed team.

Likely to be Dublin, Waterford, Westmeath, Offaly and Westmeath.

Laois can't be caught now as they are 3 points clear in 2nd place with one game to go. My understanding is that the top two go up. Where did the 2nd playing 3rd come from?

It's been the case since the start of the league and IIRC it's been in this league for a few years.

Semi-final on the 23/24th of March.


If we beat Meath on Saturday, you lads better beat Kildare on Friday night.

Ye'll beat Meath. Laois already beat Kildare. Have Kerry Saturday night. Does that affect ye?

Missed a couple of conversions, lost a couple of important lineouts and never hit the heights. A recipe for being pipped at the post.

England, I think, missed way more off the tee, no? Also, what's wrong w/ y'r man, Farrell, that he's not playing?

Owen Farrell is playing in France now which means England won't pick him.

I see. Are they the only ones with such a policy? Ireland used to do it a bit, too, but not when it came to Johnny Sexton?

Missed a couple of conversions, lost a couple of important lineouts and never hit the heights. A recipe for being pipped at the post.

England, I think, missed way more off the tee, no? Also, what's wrong w/ y'r man, Farrell, that he's not playing?

More didn't vote at all than voted.

I think that's pretty normal in referendums.

And Portlaoise, I believe.

Are Ross King and James Keyes injured/dropped/gone?

Thought I saw Ross there? However, James Keyes is in America, and I don't think he's scheduled to come back.

Are you sure about Keyes. I think he's back around.

Amazing to think that we could have 5 better forwards starting than what played Saturday. 2 x Keyes, W Dunphy, Cillian Dunne and Roddy.

Is Fionan Mahony on the panel.

No, not 100% sure, but that's what I heard on Saturday night. Also heard it's not an entirely happy camp, but who knows? I agree, it was strange having Phelan on the wing. He's not suited to there, and nor in Dunphy suited to ff. I think he got one point, and that's all, before coming off?

Are Ross King and James Keyes injured/dropped/gone?

Thought I saw Ross there? However, James Keyes is in America, and I don't think he's scheduled to come back.

If you're talking about Mossy (and I assume you are!), he was lucky to come on at all. Only after a major operation.

Disappointing from Laois tonight. Carlow probably 10 points the better team. Stronger, more physical, and far more able to break the tackle than our lads. The only bright spots were David Dooley, and Diarmuid Conway, who had a good game. Podge did well, too. Paddy Purcell's radar was off until late on (on his 100th appearance for Laois, no less. Fair play.), and Picky seemed quiet enough apart from the frees. They clawed it back near the end, but I don't know how they expected lobbing high balls in was going to work against a bigger defence. Carlow aren't wonderful, and their touch was no better than ours, but they were well worth the win.

Some nice ones there.

Here's mine - Andrew King is a neo-folk singer from England.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkXuxWfloT8&t=83s